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 Cuba - Telecoms Market Overview & Statistics
Despite strong economic growth in 2006, Cuba still occupies last place in Latin America for both mobile phone and Internet penetration, and is fifth from the last in fixed-line teledensity. The government has blamed the embargo for the country's poor telecom development, which has prevented the implementation of submarine fibre-optic cables; thus, Cuba has had to rely almost exclusively on satellites for international connectivity. However Etecsa, controlled 73% by the government and 27% by Telecom Italia, holds a monopoly in both fixed and mobile services. It offers GSM, TDMA, and AMPS services through its subsidiary Cubacel, though mobile rates are prohibitive for the vast majority of Cubans. In addition, Cubans cannot legally buy a computer or subscribe to an ISP without having a government permit. Fidel Castro's ailing health in early 2007 means that his brother Raül's transitional power is likely to become permanent during 2007, regarded by many as the first step towards democratisation. A transition to democracy, aided by the lifting of the US embargo and by an inflow of foreign investment, would stimulate the growth of all Cuba's telecommunications' sectors.
Last Update: 17 Jan 2007 Number of Pages: 11
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